Discoms to be penalised for unscheduled power cuts: Kejriwal

Power distribution companies in the capital will be penalised if their reasons for unscheduled power cuts are found unsatisfactory, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Thursday.

He said this in reply to a letter sent by Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely, who warned the chief minister of agitation if long-hour power cuts continue in various areas of the city.

Kejriwal told reporters the government will upload the information of scheduled power cuts on its website in advance and people will be able to report to the government - by SMS - if there are unscheduled electricity cuts in their areas.

"Last night (Wednesday), I asked the power department to get the data of unscheduled and scheduled power cuts in the last one week," the chief minister said.

"Power companies will be sought to explain the unscheduled power cuts. They will be penalised for it," he said.

Kejriwal accused power companies of being averse to an audit by the comptroller and auditor general into their financial accounts, which was recently ordered by the Lt. Governor.

There are three power companies in the capital -- BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd.